New Delhi, May 13 -- Times change, governments change, but campus politics doesn't. Yet, every new beginning also brings fresh hope. With the change in power in West Bengal, many students are now hoping for a more balanced and academically focused atmosphere in colleges and universities.

Adrija Sen and Parinita Chatterjee (names changed), both students of Asutosh College, recall how members associated with the former ruling party's student wing would often encourage students to participate in rallies and campaigns. According to them, refusing such requests was not always easy. "At times, there was a feeling that participation in rallies could indirectly affect classroom relations and internal assessments," said Sen. Chatterjee added that she now hopes the new student leadership will allow students to focus more on academics without unnecessary interference.

After the BJP came to power in Bengal for the first time with a massive mandate, leaders of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing affiliated to the BJP, claim to have expanded their presence across nearly half of the state's educational institutions. Students across campuses say they are hopeful that the changing political landscape could lead to a healthier academic environment. Rahul Mehta from Prafulla Chandra College said students often felt pressured not only inside campuses but also through messages in student group chats.

At the same time, students continue to raise concerns over issues such as academic freedom, campus security, and infrastructure. Ayush Gupta, another college student, alleged that some senior members of student unions from TMCP, the student wing of TMC, would collect money from juniors on occasions such as birthdays, making many students uncomfortable.

Most colleges in Bengal have not witnessed student union elections for several years. Although the former ruling party is no longer in power in the state, how campus politics will evolve in the coming months, especially with the growing role of the ABVP, remains to be seen. For now, many students are simply hoping for campuses where academics take precedence over politics.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.